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These books feel like home.

…especially when the person being bribed is me. And especially, especiallywhen the person doing the bribing is me, because that means I’ll be receiving only the very best swag in order to achieve said bribagement. (Def: bribagement – n. the divine, self-satisfied condition of having been amply paid off in either cash or some sort of juicy booty.) (No, not that kind of “booty.” ;-))

Okay, I admit it: because I’m the world’s laziest person, I have been bribing myself to finish writing Her Badman Hero. Or maybe it would be more accurate (and nicer) to say I’ve been “incentivizing” myself. Either way, to keep myself honest, I thought I should share with you the top three items on my list of bribery loot.

1) Katey Sagal’s new album. Anyone who engages me in conversation about music,Sons of Anarchy, Futurama, eighties television, or, well, the weather, is likely to be on the receiving end of an enthusiastic tidal wave of communication about how much I love Katey Sagal. Not only is she one heck of an actress, she’s also an amazing singer, and her skill as a songwriter has more than once brought tears to my eyes (in the best way possible). I have worn a virtual groove in my iPod playing and re-playing her 2004 album Room. In short, the woman is an Artist with a capital “A,” and she’s a true inspiration to anyone who aspires to make a living with their art. Her new album, Covered, was released recently, and immediately went to the top of my personal “most wanted.” Squee! Can’t wait to listen!

2) Veronica Mars box set. Although I was late to the party on the Veronica Mars television show, my husband and I finally watched it a few years ago on Netflix, and we zipped through all three seasons in about two weeks. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why! It’s a really fun show with an original concept and a great cast, not to mention an audience who is so faithful that the fans financed the startup production costs of a Veronica Mars movie via a Kickstarter campaign. This is one of those shows that’s so well-written it makes me itch to get writing! So for that reason, if nothing else, it’s earned a place on my loot list.

3) And the Grand Pooh-bah of bribery booty: a new Kindle Paperwhite.I bought my first Kindle in 2011, and it has served me well. But the Paperwhite has been calling to me for some time now, luring me with the siren song of its eyestrain-free front light and paper-like text display. In short, when I think of the Paperwhite, I’m like a child with her face pressed to a toy store window, whispering: “I want it!” Even the thought makes my fingers type faster! Very soon, it will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine…

So tell me the truth: am I being hopelessly self-indulgent by promising myself all this lovely loot? Even more self-indulgent by blogging about it? And what kind of delicious rewards have you promised yourself for finishing a project?